Preview: Whitecaps FC set to open Amway Canadian Championship Wednesday against Toronto FC

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC will play their first match of the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship on Wednesday when they visit Eastern Canadian rival Toronto FC in the first leg of the tournament semifinal.

Kickoff for Wednesday’s match is set for 4:30 p.m. PT at BMO Field. You can watch the match live on Sportsnet ONE or listen on TEAM 1410 radio and teamradio.ca, starting with the pre-game show at 2:30 p.m. PT. Following the match, TEAM 1410 will also have a two-hour post-game show.

Fans are invited to watch the match at the Official Whitecaps FC Viewing Party at the Red Card Sports Bar (560 Smithe Street, Vancouver). Festivities will get underway at 3:30 p.m. PT.

PRE-MATCH
INTERVIEWS:

The Amway Canadian Championship is a Canadian Soccer Association-sanctioned competition that crowns the top Canadian professional team and determines Canada’s entry into the CONCACAF Champions League.

Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC will play a two-legged home-and-home series over the next week, with the winner advancing to face either Montreal Impact or North American Soccer League side FC Edmonton in the championship final.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

Last match: Whitecaps FC 3-2 San Jose Earthquakes

The ‘Caps are going with younger squad in the first leg of the semifinal – their 23-man roster (from which the 18-man gameday roster will be determined) for Wednesday's match has an average age of 22.6 years old.

“How do young players learn? That’s the question I ask myself,” said Robinson, adding that Mitchell and fellow defenders Johnny Leveron and Christian Dean would all play. “When do they learn? We can say they’re not ready yet. Well, how do you know they’re not ready? The only way you learn whether they’re ready or not is to give them the opportunity. And Wednesday is a great opportunity for them.”

Robinson confirmed on Monday that Canadian midfielders Russell Teibert (21) and Bryce Alderson (20) and goalkeeper Marco Carducci (17) will each start on Wednesday. It will be the Whitecaps FC first-team debut for Alderson and Carducci, who both graduated from the club’s Residency program.

The ‘Caps manager also said that 18-year-old Residency midfielders Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese will likely see some minutes. Bustos and Froese are two of four current Residency players included on Vancouver’s preliminary roster – striker Jordan Haynes and midfielder Mitch Piraux are the others. Centre back and Residency graduate Jackson Farmer, who has been recalled from loan with USL PRO side Charleston Battery, is also on the roster.

Teams can play up to six Canadian academy players in the Canadian Championship even if they’re not signed to Major League Soccer contracts. The eight Canadian players on Vancouver’s preliminary Canadian Championship roster are more than any other MLS team in the competition.

“It’s a Canadian Championship. I want to give my Canadian players opportunities,” Robinson said. “I know what it means to them … and [the competition] is very important for the club as well.”

“Even if we play a younger group of players, I believe we can win,” he added. “I know we can win. And we’ll give it every inch we’ve got to win that game. It’s not nice when you miss out on an opportunity to win a trophy. And it’s a trophy we’re going to try and win.”

On the injury front, Robinson said on Monday he’s hopeful that Darren Mattocks’ left hamstring strain will only keep him out a few weeks. Defenders Sam Adekugbe (right knee) and Ethen Sampson (right knee) are also both unavailable on Wednesday due to injury.

TORONTO FC

Last match: Toronto FC 1-2 New England Revolution

After a disappointing 2013 season, Toronto FC underwent a massive offseason makeover, bringing in the likes of U.S. national team star Michael Bradley, longtime English Premier League striker Jermain Defoe, and Brazil national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

It’s unclear at this point whether Toronto will field an experienced or youthful side on Wednesday, though Bradley, Defoe, Cesar and most of their first-team regulars were included on the preliminary roster.

The Reds got off to an impressive start to the 2014 MLS season, defeating Seattle Sounders FC and D.C. United in their first two matches, but have fallen off a bit since then. After picking up their third win of the season at the beginning of April against Columbus Crew, Ryan Nelsen’s side have suffered three consecutive losses heading into Wednesday’s contest.

Injuries have likely played a part in their recent woes – Defoe missed three straight matches before returning to the squad this past weekend in a 2-1 loss to New England Revolution. The Englishman still leads the team with three goals in four appearances.

There are six Canadian players listed on Toronto FC’s preliminary roster for Wednesday’s match, including veteran Dwayne De Rosario and fellow Canadian internationals Ashtone Morgan, Kyle Bekker, Doneil Henry, Issey Nakajima-Farran, and Jonathan Osorio.

Osorio is unlikely to play on Wednesday, however, after suffering a quadriceps contusion this past weekend.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

With four titles to their name, Toronto FC are the most successful team in the Canadian Championship to date. The ‘Caps, meanwhile, are still searching for their first title after finishing as the runners-up in five straight years.

Prior to last year’s tournament, when Montreal Impact edged Whitecaps FC on aggregate in the championship final, Toronto won four straight titles – defeating the ‘Caps in the final on each occasion.

In MLS competition, however, Vancouver and Toronto have split their four meetings to date.

NEXT UP

The ‘Caps continue their MLS schedule on Saturday, May 10 when they visit Eastern Conference side Columbus Crew, before returning to BC Place on Wednesday, May 14 for the second leg of the Canadian Championship semifinal against Toronto FC. Tickets are still available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

Whitecaps FC 2014 season tickets start at just $349, subject to applicable fees. The 'Caps are also offering a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.